Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-01

without they see US nrst, anu Keep Oh |
without camping. If they do they'll be
in tie hills in the morning. But if they |
don't see us they'll think nobody Is AFTER
them and rest and feed there"
Renewing their course, the party rode
on, and within an hour were not only
iolned by the six first seen, but IN slgnt OF
more than half of the whole party OF
Rangers. Seeing that all OF the trails lea
to one point, the timber range on the
Pecos. and as they were now very rapidly
nearing it, the Ma Or deemed it prudent
to halt his men, and sent some Of the best
mounted 20 cross the trails from right to
left and thus intercept the others who
were coming up. By the main trail where
they were they could see that large pro-
portion of those whom they were pursu-
ing had united.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
They were on the Rio PeCos at last
Lqgona and his hapltss captive-Ada and
her entire band. A grand old forest was
that which guarded the banks Of the
bright and rushing Water-and glad were
the exhausted riders and their almost
worn out horses when they halted with
in it.
Gwen camp here, will we not, Miss
Ada?" asked Maerson, as they drew up,
after their long and fatiguing ride.
"That will be as Lsgona advises" said
she
81 don't care what he says-our horses
are completely stove up and can't bulge
another mile. If we're followed I'm ready
for fight-but as to travelling further till
we've ate, and drank, and slept, and our
| horses had bite, I'll not do it for any
heather that runs AS say so say all!
| Don't you bOys?"
"Yes-Captain Jack, yes!" was the
general reply.
every good-you sleep, eat-get drunk
If you like! We will rest and then go
| on" said Lagons, with a look of con-
tempt on those who gave out so easily.
| And he rode away little further apart
| from the rest, where he dismounted and
prepared refreshments for Stella and Ada,
while their horses were feeding.
Malerson and his men, without the
least sign of prudence, butt up their
camp fires, stacked their arms, unsaddled
their horses, turned them out to feed,
and then fastened to refresh themselves.
"We're clear of danger now, boys. Old
Ben Mccullough himself never would fol-
low US so far, let alone the planter, and such
a scurvy set as he has around his ranch.
We've lots of rum left, and soon Wen
make a dash for sore place where we
can get more. Here's to our noble
seIvesn'
And his upturned flask did honor to his
sentiment.
All was now lively in the robber camp.
The men were cooking, eating and drink
| ing 10 their hearts content.
After delay of little more than an hour
Lagona called in his horse and that of
Ada; and, without word to the carous-
ing crew, rode away up the stream with
his prize.
"By-bye, Miss Ada Wen be along
after you when the suns up" shouted
! MalersOn, half drunk, as he saw them 60
of. And then he took another strong
pull at his flask, and wrapping himself in
his blanket lay down to sleep.
CHAPTER xxXvu
"Don-don't be in such a duCe of a
hurry, BOYS. Who is that -keckin' me,
their lawfully 'lected captain?" granted
Jack Malerson, some hours after he had
lain down to sleep.
Aroused by some numerically severe
| kicks, he now learned two faCts-One OF
them of astounding Importance, 50 far as
he was concerned. 1t was broad dsy-
light, first; and next, every man of his
band was secured and tied, and bis
greatest dread, Ben Mccullough, was
standing over him, with the ropes ready
to fix him in the same way as soon as he
gained a sitting posture.
'Lord! don't kick so hard, old fellow!
Remember, you wear bOOts!" said NAL
erson, as an expression of terror, mingled
with pain, came out upon his scottish
CountenanCe.
"Get up, you internal scOundrel, and
let me rope you, them" said the Maj or
"You might have done it while | was
asleep, without making such fuss about
it," groWled Malerson. "Here, dom
tie my hands till I've taken my morning
bitters!" he added, raising his flask tC
his lips.
oMurder! IT. all gone-I must have
emptied it last night" he groaned, drop
ping the now useless friend upon the
ground, and submitting his arms to the
rope, winch was used to tie them behind
his back.
"Ah! you here, Paul, my boy-yor
here, and see your poor old father treated
in this ERE way-kicked, cuffed, and tied
up like pig to be carted to Market
said he, recognizing his son.
81 am here; bat in g robber and villiar
like yourself recognize no relationship
said the young man bitterly.
elbow unnatural! What wicked boy!
But you'll do your poor old dad one
favor, won't you? See if some of the
boys haven't got a little rum left, and
give me moistener, to drive away the
blue devils. Now do, boy, and I'll for,
give the rest of your conduct"
Paul turned away in utter disgust from
him without attending to the request.
"Where is my daughter, you double
dyed viIlain-where is my daughter?"
asked Mr. Delorme.
"When | ask questions and want 'em
answered l generally use civil tongue!'
said the captain, coolly.
"For Heavens sake tell me where my
daughter is" groaned the wretched
father.
"Ah, now you talk! Pve respect for
heaven, though / never expect to get
there Give me drink of liquor and I'll
tell, to the best of my knowledge, where
yolr daughter isl" replied Malerson.
A flask was brought and applied to the
Old rascal's lips, for he was so tied that
he could not help himself. After swal-
loving until he was in some danger of
choking, he PAUSED, and Mr.. Delorme
then repeated the question.
DWELL, as far as I'm capable of know
ing, old gentleman" said Malerson, as
soon as he could get his breath to reply,
"your daughter Is with mighty cute In
dian, that calls himself Lagona, and just
as smart white girl as ever put on trous-
ers-one Miss McAlpin, former sweet
heart Of my ungratetul son, that Master
Paul, there They left mere shortly after
we encampcd-and that is probably six or
seven hours ago-aDd they were making
for the hills, where, If you want to lose
! rnnr fnn.knots Won can undoubtedly be